How did we get here – Solo exhibition by Wei Leng Tay

How did we get here is a selection of images from Tay’s ongoing body of work. Tay’s images capture uncertain moments in everyday lives. However, beyond conventional portraiture, the works underline Tay’s own understanding and projections of personal and familial power dynamics and pressures, as well as the physical and psychological facets of the sitters. The result is a multilayered series with narratives constantly playing off each other, and changing as the artist herself grows with the process and experience. As Tay states, “The imagery depicts states of mind, relationships and tensions between the people that are somewhat real, and also projections of my own relationships. The work helps me make sense of how we navigate and negotiate our personal lives, and the multiple roles we might play.”

Integral to the work is Tay’s artistic process, the images representing moments found within the artist’s interaction with the subjects, sometimes occurring after very short periods of time and in others after years of dialogue. Curator Lisa Botos cautions, “It is necessary to understand that her photographs should not be viewed as discrete works of other people. Rather, they are part of a larger personal narrative. There is a process of embodiment with her subjects; a blending of the self and the other.”